Riveria One bedroom vs BWV Club Level Standard Room

[mhmcduff]

HI! I have two options for a surprise trip for my husband's 60th. Boardwalk Club standard room or Riveria One bedroom preferred view (deluxe studio not available). It is slightly more expensive for the Riveria.
Couple of things- my husband loves Epcot. He likes BW but HATES it when we get assigned a room a long walk from elevators and cannot find out if the Club rooms are closer. We have never stayed Club and trying to figure if worth the extra for the hospitality rooms which of course we would love but likely only use in afternoon or late night = after parks- for a cocktail. We have never been to Riveria to stay though I went for dinner at Topolino's (AMAZING!) with colleagues while traveling this spring and loved the resort and think he will like it too. His favorite is the Poly but we have DVC points there(all used for this year) and he has mentioned more than once he "wants to go to Disney but does not want to go to Poly as he is afraid all the construction will "kill the vibe.". He is not a huge pool guy since the kids are grown but a huge sit at an outside bar or shaded table and read/chill guy while I swim etc. ADVICE and your experience at either is most welcome!!!!

 

[SkyGuy]

Club rooms at BW are farther from the elevator due to location of the club, and some can be as far from the elevator as a room at BWI can be. You can obviously request closer to an elevator, but it still won’t be very close. There are no cocktails (or any hard liquor) on club level, only beer and wine, so as long as those are your ideas of cocktails, then you could be happy. That being said Innkeeper’s Club is our favorite club level on property for the ambiance and cast members. We love being able to walk to Epcot and HS and almost always stay at an Epcot area resort - usually BWI CL. However, we have stayed at the Riviera. The one-bedrooms at the Riviera are simply gorgeous and the bathrooms are amazing. Riviera has a lovely bar and good QS, and you already know about the great restaurant.

 

[Marthasor]

HI! I have two options for a surprise trip for my husband's 60th. Boardwalk Club standard room or Riveria One bedroom preferred view (deluxe studio not available). It is slightly more expensive for the Riveria.
Couple of things- my husband loves Epcot. He likes BW but HATES it when we get assigned a room a long walk from elevators and cannot find out if the Club rooms are closer. We have never stayed Club and trying to figure if worth the extra for the hospitality rooms which of course we would love but likely only use in afternoon or late night = after parks- for a cocktail. We have never been to Riveria to stay though I went for dinner at Topolino's (AMAZING!) with colleagues while traveling this spring and loved the resort and think he will like it too. His favorite is the Poly but we have DVC points there(all used for this year) and he has mentioned more than once he "wants to go to Disney but does not want to go to Poly as he is afraid all the construction will "kill the vibe.". He is not a huge pool guy since the kids are grown but a huge sit at an outside bar or shaded table and read/chill guy while I swim etc. ADVICE and your experience at either is most welcome!!!!

I've stayed at both and I would pick BWI for your trip. In terms of value, you are getting a lovely room, CL food and beverage, plus closer proximity to your husband's favorite park. That's a win-win for me. RIV is lovely - we stayed in a one-bedroom, standard view, the first year it opened and the room was gorgeous, but as an overall resort, it is not my favorite. We found the QS to be quite crowded and the pool was a bit boring, IMHO. Also, you are limited to the Skyliner and the buses and if the Skyliner goes down, one of the perks of the resorts is eliminated. At BWI, you have the luxury of having a ton of dining options just a walk away at all of the resorts surrounding the Boardwalk. Lower cost, included food/beverage and proximity to EP and lots of other dining options takes the win for me.

 

[gottalovepluto]

HI! I have two options for a surprise trip for my husband's 60th. Boardwalk Club standard room or Riveria One bedroom preferred view (deluxe studio not available). It is slightly more expensive for the Riveria.
Couple of things- my husband loves Epcot. He likes BW but HATES it when we get assigned a room a long walk from elevators and cannot find out if the Club rooms are closer. We have never stayed Club and trying to figure if worth the extra for the hospitality rooms which of course we would love but likely only use in afternoon or late night = after parks- for a cocktail. We have never been to Riveria to stay though I went for dinner at Topolino's (AMAZING!) with colleagues while traveling this spring and loved the resort and think he will like it too. His favorite is the Poly but we have DVC points there(all used for this year) and he has mentioned more than once he "wants to go to Disney but does not want to go to Poly as he is afraid all the construction will "kill the vibe.". He is not a huge pool guy since the kids are grown but a huge sit at an outside bar or shaded table and read/chill guy while I swim etc. ADVICE and your experience at either is most welcome!!!!

RIV. I did BWI CL standard room last month it was the longest hotel room walk I’ve had at a Disney deluxe. I requested near the club level… The club level is at the end of a hallway from the elevators, from the CL there are rooms down another hallway, and then at the end of that hallway you walk by some shutters and a couple CM doors, start questioning what idiot designed this resort, and then see the rooms down the mini-hallway. Your room? Almost at the very end of that hallway

The CL is just really awkwardly located. And it’s not like there is a view or anything out of it. It’s a room to get food and drinks with some chairs. The CMs are very outgoing but it doesn’t sound like you plan on spending much time there anyway.

RIV is your friend here* I’d pick it even if I had to pay more. I’ve been in a one bedroom at the end of the building and it was seriously nbd. I love how compact the resort is and it doesn’t feel like anything is a long walk. And the one bedroom really is gorgeous!

UNLESS you’re traveling during summer when thunderstorms are common. Then Skyliner shuts down and you have to bus to front of Epcot and that’s annoying. My Riviera stays were Nov, Jan & Mar so I didn’t deal with the daily thunderstorms of summer.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Oh! As far as cocktails go, they’re limited at CL. There is wine, beer, mimosas and cordials. BWI CL does do a cocktail but I don’t recall what comes in it.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

I don't think BWI CL is going to make your DH happy
First, Sounds like you really don't plan to utilize it. You mention late night, they close at 10 by the way so not even open late. Afternoon is only packaged snacks and the worse service to go to. So from that stand point, I wouldn't bother to stay CL period. Stay BWI but drop CL. You have a much better chance to get close to elevator if you drop CL
Second, it's impossible to have a CL room close to the elevator. They aren't. Look on Touring Plans. It shows you where the CL rooms are. The very closest possible are still down a kinda long hall from the elevator bank on the 4th floor all the way from the main building towards the Boardwalk itself. The rooms only get further from there.

Not sure BWI is going to fit the pool needs though. The quiet pool is awesome but lacking in shade and no bar service. The main pool has a bar and lots of tables and shade but is quite busy with families and kids. Not sure he can "chill" there. Maybe hang at the quiet pool later in the day with your own beverages?

Since it sounds like you are DVC why not save RIV for a time when you can use your points? Isn't that always the cheaper way to go?

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Oh! As far as cocktails go, they’re limited at CL. There is wine, beer, mimosas and cordials. BWI CL does do a cocktail but I don’t recall what comes in it.

Really? I've stayed in BWI CL for years, multiple times a year, and they have never served a cocktail. I was there in July and know positively they did not have one then.

 

[focusondisney]

When is the trip supposed to take place? There are reports BWI will start room renovations next year. I *think* club level is supposed to be March/ April? You’ll probably get more info on the Club Level thread. So BWI might not work for you anyway.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Really? I've stayed in BWI CL for years, multiple times a year, and they have never served a cocktail. I was there in July and know positively they did not have one then.

I saw a few wine glasses with ice and some light colored beverage and I think a mini rubber ducky floating in it. I’m sure the CL thread might be able to help here. I’m gonna go enquire now. I feel the need to know

 

[Mrs.AMC]

I saw a few wine glasses with ice and some light colored beverage and I think a mini rubber ducky floating in it. I’m sure the CL thread might be able to help here. I’m gonna go enquire now. I feel the need to know

LOL... It's a mimosa. With a ducky floating in it. But in the end, just a mimosa with ice.

 

[RoseGold]

Maybe Beach Club is a better pick? It's a much smaller resort, only the DVC rooms are really a slog. The rest are pretty close together.

I don't see the point of Club Level with your schedule, and a 1BR at RIV is ridiculously expensive for what you get.

I'd also consider Swan Reserve in this. A longer walk to Epcot, but a nice new hotel. BW is aging and costs more than Swan Reserve.

I just got back from Poly and the construction is a complete mess. It's nowhere near the DVC buildings, but the walk from GF was a mess all the way across Floridian Drive.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

When is the trip supposed to take place? There are reports BWI will start room renovations next year. I *think* club level is supposed to be March/ April? You’ll probably get more info on the Club Level thread. So BEI might not work for you anyway.

Good point. Though the time frame of the proposed reno the rooms are already blocked off from booking so if you can book it, that's not the time of the reno and if you can't, it is.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Maybe Beach Club is a better pick? It's a much smaller resort, only the DVC rooms are really a slog. The rest are pretty close together.

I don't see the point of Club Level with your schedule, and a 1BR at RIV is ridiculously expensive for what you get.

I'd also consider Swan Reserve in this. A longer walk to Epcot, but a nice new hotel. BW is aging and costs more than Swan Reserve.

I just got back from Poly and the construction is a complete mess. It's nowhere near the DVC buildings, but the walk from GF was a mess all the way across Floridian Drive.

Swan Reserve is a great option, if you are ok with a little further walk to Epcot. We stayed there in July and would stay there again if things line up. Not a fan of Swan or Dolphin so much but did like Swan Reserve. Amare (SP) was incredible. And even better a late night choice too.
If your stay is post reno the aging won't be a factor, if it's pre reno Swan Reserve is really spiffy.
Though you'll stand a chance of a long-ish walk to the room from an elevator anywhere. It is just luck of the draw. And we almost always get the bad draw at Disney. Like 99.99% of the time, we get the furthest room. I've learned to expect it. It's become the running joke. I've sort of learned that once you do the walk, it's only 2, 3 more minutes in the end. Not really THAT big a deal as it seems

 

[focusondisney]

Good point. Though the time frame of the proposed reno the rooms are already blocked off from booking so if you can book it, that's not the time of the reno and if you can't, it is.

Right, I forgot that. As long as work in other floors won’t bother him. And if the trip is after the remodel, a nice fresh room would be a great reason to pick BWI.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Hi Rosegold… The walkway from Poly DVC rooms to the TTC are still the same . ? .

Walking across Floridian Drive sounds dangerous! Is that correct?
Surprised this is even allowed !
Thanks for warning…

 

[RoseGold]

The walkway from Poly DVC rooms to the TTC are still the same . ? .

Yes, TTC walk is the same. The construction is on the other side, by GF, so close to cash rooms.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Hi Rosegold… The walkway from Poly DVC rooms to the TTC are still the same . ? .

Walking across Floridian Drive sounds dangerous! Is that correct?
Surprised this is even allowed !
Thanks for warning…

I'm trying to recall, but I'm thinking there's parking over there but I could well be mixing things up too.
Anyway, if there IS, there's a cross walk/light so not dangerous. Provided you use said cross walk/light

 

[GADisneyDad14]

FYI, the new temporary Poly-GF path that just opened crosses Floridian Way at two new, non-signalized crosswalks. I’d definitely urge some caution at those two spots just to be careful.

 

[RoseGold]

Def no crosswalks between GF/Poly. Or shade. The walk was brutally hot, and that road is busy. It's not to a parking lot. It's to more construction barriers, so it's a mess.

I would imagine it's lit at night, though, because it's a busy road.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Def no crosswalks between GF/Poly. Or shade. The walk was brutally hot, and that road is busy. It's not to a parking lot. It's to more construction barriers, so it's a mess.

I would imagine it's lit at night, though, because it's a busy road.

Is there a reason folks walk between GF/Poly a lot? In all my stays there I've only done it once.